House of Creations

Your book at the opera! 

Books will have a strong symbolic presence in the staging and set of Cassandra. That is why we are organising a major book collection in May. Donate a book in one of the following Brussels public libraries, and you will be invited to a (free) guided tour at La Monnaie. The opportunity to discover our theatre and get a preview of this highly-anticipated season opener. 

In practice:

• Go to the library of your choice with a (single) book in pocket format (11x18 cm) OR digest (14 x 21.6 cm) OR novel (15 x 21 cm).
• Fill in the postcard that you will receive and slip it into the book you wish to donate. Return the book and card to your librarian.
• You will then be invited to discover the La Monnaie Theatre and the Cassandra project during a guided tour in June 2023.

Questions? Contact us at events@lamonnaie.be

The second world premiere of the new 2023-24 season too reflects La Monnaie's commitment. Ali is based on the true story of Ali Abdi Omar. The boy is 12 when he tries to escape terror in his homeland Somalia. He travels the dangerous road from the Horn of Africa to the heart of Europe, crossing several countries, a desert and the Mediterranean along with hundreds of migrants seeking a better future. Along the way, friendships are made despite the hardships and hope is found amidst the horror. He arrives at the Brussels South railway station in 2019, alone, without knowing a word of French or Dutch. He is 14 years old …  

This incredible epic is the true story of Ali Abdi Omar, adapted for the opera by composer and multimedia artist Grey Filastine and director Ricard Soler Mallol. Developed in collaboration with Ali himself, this moving creation reconstructs all the stages of his journey. A sensory experience where electronic music, voice, string and wind instruments, percussion and dance pay a vibrant tribute to the resilience of a young boy forced, like so many others, to leave his family and home in order to survive.

Today, General and Artistic Director Peter de Caluwe presented La Monnaie's new season to the press. In 2023-24, too, we carry contemporary opera creation high on our agenda, with no less than two world premieres. One even as a season opener: from 10 to 23 September, Cassandra, the first opera by Belgian composer Bernard Foccroulle, oracles in our Main Auditorium. From today, discover the full cast and performance series on this webpage.

Read the libretto of Solar here (in English, with French translation) 

Prepare yourself in the best possible way for Solar with this introductory video featuring composer Howard Moody and director Benoît De Leersnyder.